Dear Tom:

You are welcome. You mentioned that you don’t have any financial dependents but you have a mortgage. What bothers you is that there is a risk involved in taking this contracted position. The fact that you will be paid hourly and not yearly distresses you, makes you feel less safe.

If you look at the job market in your area, ask yourself if it is likely that following those six months, if the contract is not extended or you don’t get hired there, if it is likely that you will be unemployed for long, and therefore unable to pay your mortgage.

Also, consider that there is always a risk. I asked you how safe or secure your current position, I don’t know the answer. Think of that. Is there a chance that you reject the six month position and then somehow, for some reason, you get fired from your current position.

Risk is part of life, as you know. When you have a choice between A and B, calculate best you can the risk in A and the risk in B, then evaluate how A/B can benefit you in the long run and what are the chances that A/B will benefit you in these ways.

Have risks vs benefits in mind, and rest in making thoughtful choices. Safety, or your best chances to be safe is in the making of thoughtful, informed choices, accepting the fact of life that in every choice there is a risk.

anita